n.
Pronunciation: ' r ā z
Function: verb
Inflected Form: raised ; rais · ing
Etymology: Middle English reisen, raisen, from Old Norse reisa ― more at REAR
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 : to cause or help to rise to a standing position
2 a : AWAKEN , AROUSE b : to stir up : INCITE < raise a rebellion> c : to flush (game) from cover d : to recall from or as if from death
3 a : to set upright by lifting or building < raise a monument> b : to lift up < raise your hand> < raise sunken treasure> c : to place higher in rank or dignity : ELEVATE d : HEIGHTEN , INVIGORATE < raise the spirits> e : to end or suspend the operation or validity of < raise a siege>
4 : to get together for a purpose : COLLECT < raise funds>
5 a : GROW , CULTIVATE < raise cotton> b : to bring to maturity : REAR < raise a child> c : to breed and bring (an animal) to maturity
6 a : to give rise to : PROVOKE < raise a commotion> b : to give voice to < raise a cheer>
7 : to bring up for consideration or debate < raise an issue>
8 a : to increase the strength, intensity, or pitch of <don't raise your voice> b : to increase the degree of c : to cause to rise in level or amount < raise the rent> d (1) : to increase the amount of (a poker bet) (2) : to bet more than (a previous bettor) e (1) : to make a higher bridge bid in (a partner's suit) (2) : to increase the bid of (one's partner)
9 : to make light and porous < raise dough>
10 : to cause to ascend < raise the dust>
11 : to multiply (a quantity) by itself a specified number of times < raise two to the fourth power>
12 : to bring in sight on the horizon by approaching < raise land>
13 a : to bring up the nap of (cloth) b : to cause (as a blister) to form on the skin
14 : to increase the nominal value of fraudulently < raise a check>
15 : to articulate (a sound) with the tongue in a higher position
16 : to establish radio communication with
intransitive verb
1 dialect : RISE
2 : to increase a bet or bid
synonyms see LIFT
– rais · er noun
– raise Cain or raise hell
1 : to act wildly : create a disturbance
2 : to scold or upbraid someone especially loudly < raised hell with the umpire>
– raise eyebrows : to cause surprise or mild disapproval
– raise the bar : to set a higher standard <new software that raises the bar for competitors>